Thankful, Day Fifty

Make a joyful shout to the Lord, all you lands!

Serve the Lord with gladness;

Come before His presence with singing.

Know that the Lord, He is God;

It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves;

We are His people, and the sheep of His pasture.

Enter into His gates with thanksgiving,

And into His courts with praise.

Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.

For the Lord is good;

His mercy is everlasting,

And His truth endures to all generations.

Psalm 100, NKJV

Technically, this should be Day Fifty-Six, but I missed a few days blogging. I have not, however, missed a day of giving thanks. When I started this journey seven weeks ago, I had no idea where it was going to take me, or what it might accomplish. As a reminder to those who may have missed my initial explanation, a friend of mine suggested journaling through Psalm 100 every day for 100 days and giving thanks for three things each day. Since I'm a blogger, I decided to take my show on the road--the information superhighway, that is.

I have to admit that when I started this exercise, there were lots of days where I had to think long and hard about giving thanks. There were days I didn't feel like giving thanks, days I didn't think there was anything to give thanks for. But can I tell you this. The first month was an effort, sometimes a chore, and some days I just had to fake it to make it. I hope you don't mind honesty. But I truthfully gave thanks to God. And then came day thirty-one. And my world was changed, rocked off its axis when God stood up for me and did the unimaginable. Never mind what it was; just trust me. It was great, completely unexpected, and life changing.

Today, I'm weak in body, sick again with something that will eventually go away if God doesn't provide and instantaneous cure. But in the Spirit, I am strong and gaining more strength every day. And I truly do feel like praising Him, and giving thanks.

God, thank you for every method and means you employ to get my attention and communicate your heart to me. You are patient and long-suffering, loving and merciful, compassionate and gracious. You poke and you prod, you speak, and speak, and when necessary you speak again. But Lord, I just want you to know, I'm listening. And I'm thankful that I can hear and obey.

God, thank you for those you bring along side to help me. You sent the Holy Spirit as my comforter, teacher, and guide, but you also brought companions to join me in the journey, friends who will give me a little lift, a little boost with their love and encouragement at critical times. Lord, thank you for the prayers of the saints, making intercession for me today. I need all the help I can get!

God, thank you for the courage and boldness that is mine because of the indwelling power and presence of your Holy Spirit in my life. I know that all the promises you've made are mine, and they are yes and amen. They are faithful and true. They are good enough to take to the bank. And you have given me the ability to persevere, persist, pursue, and overcome in every circumstance and situation of my life. Thank you Lord for your help in time of trouble!

God, just...THANKS!